Impulse-transmitting device.



J. G. BLESSING.

IMPULSE TRANSMITTING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED IuI'Y 31,I9Is.

@VEA/70B- www@ TTOHA/Em LG. BLESSING.

IMPULSE TRANSMITTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 3l 1913.

Patented July 6, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' MTA/3556 J. G. BLESSING.

IMPULSE TBANSMITTING DEVICE. APmcATloN man 1uL`Y 31. 1913.

Patented July 6, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

TTOHNEYS.

1. G. BLESSING.

IMPULSE'TRANSMITTING DEVICE. APPLlcATIoN FILED IuLY 3l. 1913.

1,145,544. l Patented July, 19.15.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

` MWI/551553 j. G. BLESSING. IMFULSE TRANSMITTING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED IULY 3|. 1913.

Patented July 6, 1915.

om mgm www .E QM my* n y@ Q. w m H www@ wx rI WI IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII II n 5: Q\..%\b\ ,5&- 5 4. E .1 MW@ UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIoE.

JOHN G. IBLESSING, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC COMI- IANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

IMPULSE-TRANSMITTING- DEVICE.

Patented July 6', 19115.

.Application filed July 31, 1913. Serial N o. 782,204.

automatic impulse-transmitting devices, and

relates particularly to an impulse-transmitting device for use inconnection with automatic telephone systems in which a plural- 4 ity ofgroups of impulses are transmitted V over a line circuit for the purpose of operating automatic switches.

Among the objects of my invention are to provide an improved construction of such impulse-transmitting devices and to provide v a simplified structure 4in which one or more keys'are first operated to set up the apparatus, and then the apparatus is set in motion l to transmit aplurality of groups of impulses. j

My invention is inthe nature of an improvement upon the transmitting device shown in my previous application Serial No.

740,953, filed IJanuary 9th, 1913. In the transmitting device of this application, however, I have provided improved operating means and also improved means for producing a pause between each series of impulses. In this manner I provide an impulse-transmitting device in which the sepavrate series ofvimpulses are separated by a distinct pause and .these series of impulses are thus particularly adapted for operating lthe switches in an automatic telephone system, in which it is particularly importa-nt that there V,be a distinct pause between each series of impulses to insure the proper operation of the'switches.

These and other objects of my invention will be more readily understood by having reference lto lthe Vaccompanying drawings, in

which I have illustrated my invention. v

In thedrawings-Figure 1 represents the mechanical construction of the apparatus one embodiment of embodying the principles of my lnvention.

Fig. 2 is a left end elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the same as seen from the right end. Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is ing through the center of art of the a parat-us, 5p-5 of Fig. Fig. 6 is a sectional View along the line 6-'6 of Fig. 1 with certain parts removed. Figs. 7, 8 and 9 represent springs and push buttons for the initiation of th call. Fig. 10 shows diagrammatically the circuits of the calling device.

Referring to Fig. 1 there is mounted on a suitable base plate 12 electromagnets 13 and 14 (14 being mounted on the underside of plate 12,.as shown in Fig. 2), a self interrupting motor driving device 15, hereina sectional view of a taken along the line after to be described, and a dial arrangement 16 provided with a pair of arms 17 and 17a, which are secured to a spindle passsaid dial. These arms are arranged to rotate at a given time on the dial 16 until stopped by one of the plunger arms of the solenoids 1- (Fig. 1C) or the tenth stop 0a. The solenoids are situated l sneath said dial, and are energized in accordance with the digits called. The tenth stop 0a for the arm 17aL is permanently fastened to the dial, for it is not necessary that it should move out of the path of the arms 17 and 17a, as they never rotate past it.v Therefore, a tenth solenoid is not necessary. For the 17 and 17a there is provided a rotatable shaft 19, on which is secured a gear wheel 20 fastened to a spiral spring 21, the spring tending to rotate the shaft 19 in a counter clockwise direction-viewed from left to right (Figs. 1 and 10). kA gear wheel 23 is secured to a spindle22, upon which the arms 17l and 17a are mounted, and a spiral spring 24 is secured to. said gear wheel, retaining the arm 17 normally against the stop 25 (see Figs. 1 and 4). Therefore, it will be seen that immediately upon the energization of magnet 14, its armature 26 operates to move the gear wheel 20 to the left (Fig. 1) and into mesh with the gear wheel 23, to impart motion to the wipers 17 and 17a, in a clockwise direction (Fig. 10). Normally the shaft 19 is held in position against the tension of spring 21 by the arm 27 attached to said shaft and which engages the circular series of teeth 28. Y' Attached to a shaft 29 (Fig. 5) there is a wheel 30, shown in section to illustrate the manner of assembling the same. A number of levers 31 arepivoted (as at 31) between purpose of rotating the arms l i the plates a and b of the wheel 30, and mid way between the circumference and center,

in Fig. 6. The innerends of these levers are situated in a circle just inside of the circle of teeth 28, and are .arranged to be tilted by. a shorter arm 32, best shown in Fig. 6,

mounted on the shaft 19 diametrically ,o p-

posed to the arm 27. .l

Associated with the magnet 13 (see Fig. 2),which we will call the start magnet, is a leverA 33, togetherwith `two Contact springs e434 and 35, the function of which is to close the circuit of the motor solenoid 15,11 on the energization of said magnet 13. ormally the lever 33 is locked in the position shown by the arm 37 being in engagement' with said lever, and the contact between the springs 34 and 35 is normally open. When a call is initiated, the ener 'zation of vthe magnet 13 removes the arm 3 from engage-v ment with thelever l33, so that said lever moves, under the iniiuence of the spring 36, in such a manner as to keep the.- contacts of the springs 34 and 35 closed until the arm 27 is rotated backwith the wheel 30 to its normal position, at which time the arm 27 again engages the inner end of the` lever 33,

- to'return the lever to its normal position and to open the contact between the springs 34 and 35 On the opposite side of the wheel 30 to that on which the magnet 13 is situ` ated, a balance wheel 38 is mounted in the bearings 39 and 40, held by a stud 74 se! cured tol the base plate 12 by means of screws 75. Fastened to the shaft 41 (see Fig. 1) upon which the bala-nce wheel 38 is mounted is a cam 42, said cam being adapted to be engaged by the levers 31 that are projected out upon the circumference 43 of the wheel 30, said engagement taking/place as said wheel 30 rotates the projecting levers 31 past the said cam-42. A pin 44is mounted in the rim o f the balance wheel 38 but insulated therefrom, and normally engages the springs 45 and 46, (which are .secured to the stud 74 by means ofv screws 105, see

Fig. 2), said pin andsprings completing al circuit through the motor solenoid 15, when .the contactbetwem springs 34 and 35 isf closed. When one of the levers 31 engages the cam 42, the balance wheel 38 is kicked or rotated in a counter clockwise direction of the motor solenoid 15 is again completed.

This delay or pause in the action of the mo# tor solenoid consequently separates the impulses being transmitted into series of im-y pulses, which allows the switches at the central oiflce time tooperate. A roller is secured to the stud 74 and rolls on the 'I l .surface 71 of the wheel 30. The'purpose of said roller is to restore the levers 31 `to their the ends of which levers are clearly shown y' normal positions, as they are carried past the-said roller by rotation of the Wheel 30. A spring 73 is also mounted upon theV stud 74 and en'gages the'f'vouter circumference of the wheel 30 in such a manner as to allow the wheel 30 to be rotated in 'a clockwise direction only.

Referring toFig. A3,'a' device consistingr of three arms, namely 48, 49 and 50 is pivoted at the point 51 to the stud 52. The arm f i 48 is also pivoted te'fthe plunger 54 of the motor solenoid 15, a spring 55 retaining the arms in their normal position. An interrupter device L is secured to the base Aplate 12 by s crews 60 and is controlled by a piu 56 carried bythe arm 48. This device operates in such'a manner as to keep closed the. l

contact between the springs 57 and 58I while solenoid 15 1s being energized, and then to open the contacts 57' and 58; thus opening ,the circuit of the solenoid '15, and to hold said circuit open until said solenoid has completely denergized. The action ofsolenoid 15 causes the insulated tip 62 of the arm 49 to open and close contact between springs 63 and 64 A(Fig. 1), thus operating to send impulses of current over the line circuit. At the end of arm 50 is pivoted a pawl 65, which engages the teeth 67 4on the pawl 65 to stepthe wheel 304dn1y one step at4 a tune, l l i V section of the keyboard, together with les the assembly of the contact springs to closethe necessary circuits in initiating va call is ,shown 1n Figs. 7, 8 and 9. Fig. 7.is a vieW` ofthe under side of the'keyboard showing the contact springs-80, which are rarranged in pairs. The ends of these springs. are

shown in Fig. 8 and are pressed together when their corresponding key 81 is depressed. The springs 82, 83, 93 and-94 are closed bythel dpression of anyone of the keys 81 in the. following manner: Upon the depression of one of the keys 81 a projection 90 attached to said key is forced between two steel balls (Fig. 8), forcing thgm apart and acting on rods 85 and 95. The rod 95 forcing together springs 93 and 94 e'verr time that any one of the keys 81 is pressed, j While the lever 85 forces together the S 82 and'83. These springs remain lqe ed in their operated position by means ofa detent .arrangement on the end of the' spring 86 (Fig. 7) until the start'key 87 is depressed,

when it moves said spring 86 out` of engage'- u ment with' the lever 85, which lever releases and allows the contact springs 82 and 83 to separate. At the same time the start key 87 closes the circuit of the relay 13 by pressing together the contact springs 88 and 89.

Having given a description of the component parts of my invention, I will now describe the operation and circuits of the mechanism While a connection is being established.

We will assume that the operator Wishes to signal a station Whose number is six hundred and seventy eight. She, therefore, de-

-presses the keys 6, 7 and 8 in quick succes- 6 and said stop solenoid to the battery springs 82 and 83 and through the supervisory lamp 95 to battery. The latter cirmagnet and to battery B, and the third circuit from ground G through the contact cuit is a supervisorycircuit, andis to indiycate Athat one or more of the calling keys have been depressed, but not the start key S (Fig. 9), for we have already seen that when this start key S. is .ie-pressed, the contact springs 82 and 83 are released. lThe magnet 14 .and the solenoid 6a are energized practically simultaneously. The former oper-` ates to bring the wheel 20 into meshy with the wheel 23, and at the same time to clear the arm 27 from engagement with the teeth 28, leaving the Awheels 20 and 23 free to be swung arornd by means of action of spring 21 until one of the arms (in this case arm 17a) is stopped by ythe plun er arm of the Y solenoid 6?, the arm being drawn dfown lush with the face of the dial 16.' It will be seen, of course, that the arm 27, upon being freed from the teeth 22 also rotates with the shaft 19. This arm is carried over as many teeth as are indicated b y the digit just called, and upon tl(` deenergization of the magnet 14, recedes back under the influence of the spring 99 (Fig. 1) to its newly found' position. The shaft 19 is prevented from being further rotated under the iniiuence of spring 21 when out of engagement with the gear 23, because the Cam 27 again engages the teeth 28 just lbefore the gear wheel 20 breaks away from gear wheel 23. When the .shaft '19 reaches its normal position, the

'arms '17 and 17a spin back under the influence, of the spiral spring 24, as has been explained heretofore. There is, also an arm 3.2a secured to the shaft 19, which is made to engage with the inner ends of the levers 31, so as to tlt'the outer ends forward onto the circumference 43 of the wheel 30 (Figs. 1 and 6). Each time the magnet 14 energizes to operate the shaft 19, the smaller arm 32a is rotated in the same manner as the larger arm 27 and is themeans of causin'g a new projection to appear on the circumference 43 of .the'wheel 30, by tilting forward another one of the'levers 31 when the shaft 19 slides back to its normal position. When the operator depresses the keys 6-7-8 in succession, three of these levers 31 are tilted, causing three projections to be made on thel circumference 43 of the wheel 30, said projections being separated by a distance corresponding to the digits called. For example, upon depressing the key 6 the arms 27 and 32a are swung around six places in a manner heretoforeexplained, and the arm 27 is then carried by the shaft 19 into engagement with the teeth 28, opposite which the arm 27 has been rotated. At the same time, arm 32a is rota-ted past ive of the levers 31 and is then carried into engagement with the inner end of the sixth lever, causing its outer end to be tilted forward on the circumference 43. In

like manner, when the button 7 is, pressed start key 87, which releases the Contact springs 82 and 83 (Figs. 7 and 8), and presses together the contact springs 88 and 89, whereuponA a circuit is closed from ground G (Fig. 10) through the springs 88 and 89, through relay 13 to battery B. Uponthe relay 13 energizing,A a circuit is closed through the motor solenoid 15, which extends from ground G2, through springs 34 and 35, through solenoid 15, springs 58 and 573 springs 45 and 46 to battery B. A circuit is also closed from G2 through springs 34 and '35, through the lamp 96 to battery B, theglow of the lamp signaling the operator that the impulse device has started to operate. The motor Asolenoid, upon energizing and denergizing, separatesthe springs 63 and-64 a number of times, in'k accordance with the digit called (in this instance it being 6), and sends impulses over the lines '101 and 102'to the central exchange. At the same time, the pawl 65 operates to rotate the wheel 30 in a c1ookwise direction, that is, in a direction to rotate' the arm 27back to normal position. Since the arm 32 was moved six places away from its normal resting place, z'. e., opposite the cam 42, Aby the depression of the first, or number 6 button, and as each division represents one impulse, it will be seen that six impulses will be transmitted before the projecting lever 31 will engage the cam 42 and rotate the balancel Wheel 38 1n a counter clockwise direction, which as heretofore explained, opens the circuit of the motor solenoid, until the balance Wheel has again attained its normal position and again closed the circuit of thel motorsolenold 15 by means of the springs 45 and 46, and the pin 44. The balance Wheel 38 having returned to normal, the motor solenoid again operates to transmit impulses, and to rotate the wheel 30 until seven more impulses are transmitted in response .to the second digit, when another lever 31 4Will again engage cam 42 and forces the balance Wheel 38 to operate. After a short interval the impulse device is again started and transmits eight more impulses, `this being the third series, at the end of which the arm 27 will have rotated back to its normal position and comes into contact with the lever 33, at which time Asaid lever is tilted to release the springs 34 and 35, thus breal-. ing .the circuit of the motor solenoid l5 and/causing the lamp 96 to cease glowing. Each of the operated levers 3l are forced back to their normal position by coming into Contact with the roller 70 during the rotation of the Wheel 30.

It will thus be seen that I have devised a "'v''ry eiiicient impulse-transmitting device,

in which the impulse springs are controlled directly by a solenoid magnet, and in Which a distinct and definite pause is provided between series of impulses bymeans of the operation of the balance Wheel. l

While I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention, and one particularly adapted for use in connection with automatic telephone systems, lit Will, of course, be understood that my invention is of broader scope, and is adapted to be used in connection with any signali-ng system in which a series of lmpulses are.to be transf, mltted 1n thls manner. Various modifications and changes in the mechanical Vstructure will likewise readily suggest themselves to those slrilled in the art and come within the contemplated scope of my `in` vention. j

What I claim as my invention is:

1. An impulse-transmitting device comprising a pair of contacts, an interrupter magnet for operating saidy contacts to trans-,iL mit impulses, and automaticallycontrolled means for automatically ope ing the circuit of said magnet to therebydivide said inipulses into a plurality of* groups.

2. An impulse-transmitting device comprising a pair of contacts, a magnet, anoperating circuit therefor, means controlled by the operation of `said magnet for operating said contacts and for interrupting vsaid Operating circuit'to thereby cause the intermittent operation vof said magnet, and in' dependent means for automatically opening said operating circuit for an interval of tlme to thereby divide said impulses into groups.

3. An impulse-transmitting device, comprising a pair of cornvacts, a magnet,E an operating -circuit ..the for, means controlled by the operation of said magnet for operating said contacts and for interrupting said operating circuit to thereby cause the intermittent operation of said magnet, and variably adjustable independent meansfor'automatically opening saidoperating c1rcu1t for an interval of time to thereby divide said opening said operating circuit for an interval of time to thereby dividc'said impulses into a plurality of groups.

5. An impulse-transmitting device comprising a pair of contacts, a solenoid magnet having a plunger core vfor intermittently operating the said contacts, a movable control'- ling member, and means for variably adjusting said member whereby said contacts may be operated to transmit a plurality of series of impulses.

6. An impulse-transmitting. 'device colin--y prising a 'pair of contact springs, a solenoid magnet having 'a plunger core for i'nter- Inittently operating said contacts, a controlling member carrying a plurality of actuating devices held normally in inoperative position,means.for moving certain of said devices into operative position, and means for then setting said controlling member in motion, whereby said springs are operated to transmit a plurality of series of impulses.

" .7; An impulse-transmitting device comprising a pair of contact springs, a solenoid magnet having a plunger core for intermittently operating said contacts, and a movable controlling mechanism carrying a plurality of adjustable devices for automatically interrupting the circuit of said solenoid magnet for an 'interval of time to thereby cause said contact springs to be given a plurality of series of operations.

8. An impulse-transmitting device comprising a pair of contact springs, a magnet for intermittently operating said contacts, a movable controlling mechanism carryinga pluralityof adjustable devices, a balance Wheel controlled-by said adjustable devices, and means controlled by said balance wheel for interrupting the circuit of said magnet for an interval of time to thereby cause said contact springs to begiven a plurality of series of operations.

9. An impulse-transmitting device comprising a pair of contact springs, a magnet, an operating circuit therefor, means controlled by the operation of said magnet for operating said contacts and for interrupting said operating circuit, a controlling mecha- `nis adapted to be moved at a predetermined yspe adjustable arms carried by said contro ling mechanism, means for operating certain of said arms, and means controlled by said arms when in an operated position for interrupting the circuit of said magnet for an interval of time to thereby divide said impulses linto groups. y

10. An impulse-transmitting device com- -prising a pair of contact springs,'a magnet, a operating circuit therefor, means cont oiled by the operation of said magnet for o erating said contacts and forinterrupting said operating circuit, a controlling mechanism adapted to be moved at a predetermined speed, adjustable arms carried by said controlling mechanism, means for operating certain of said arms, a balance Wheel, means controlled by said arms when in operated position for (operating said balance Wheel, and means controlled by the operation of'said balance Wheel for interruptingthe circuit of said magnet for an -interval ofltime to thereby divide said impulses into groups.

11. In an impulse-transmitting device, a `set ofv contact springs, a magnet, an operating circuit therefor, means controlled by the dperationof said magnet for operating said contacts and for interrupting said operating circuit, a controlling mechanism' comprising .arotary member carryingaplurality o arms,

and means controlled by said arms for open- Iing the circuit of said magnet for an interval of time to thereby divide the impulses into groups.

12.' In an impulse-transmittingdevice, a set of contact springs, a magnet, an operating circuit therefor, means controlled by the operation of said magnet `for operating said contacts and for interrupting said operating circuit, a controlling mechanism comprising a/rotary member carrying a plurality of arms, a balance 'Wheel controlled by said arms, and means ennarolled by the operation of said balance Wheel for opening the circuit of said magnet for an interval of n time to thereby divide said impulses into groups.

.13. An impulse-transmitting device comprising a pair of contact springs, a magnet,

-an operating circuit therefor, means con-4 trolled by rthe operation of said magnet for loperating said contacts and for interruptprising a pair of contact springs, a magnet,

an operating circuit therefor, means controlled by the operation ol" said magnet for operating said contacts and for interrupt ing said operating circuits to thereby intermittently operate said springs, means for controlling said operation, said controlling means consisting ofl a rotary member con# taining a plurality of adjustable arms, a balance Wheel controlled by said arms, and means controlled by the operation of said. balance Wheel for interrupting the circuit of said magnet for an interval of time.

15. An impulse-transmitting device comprising a paireof contacts, an interrupter magnet for operating said contacts to transmit impulses, and electrically controlled means for automatically opening the cir-- cuit of said magnet for a time interva to.

being in turn controlled by a mechanical slow acting device timed proportionately with the length of the spaces between the groups.

Signed by me at Chicago, Cook coun'y, Illinois, this 24th day of July, 1913.

J OHN Gr. BLESSING. Vitnesses:

ALBERT ANDERSEN, B. GARBER.

I Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

